"A beta particle, also called beta ray or beta radiation (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus during the process of beta decay."
Consists of a high-speed electron emitted by a nucleus during beta decay. It is negatively charged and has moderate penetrating ability, and can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum or plastic.
Types of radiation: Understanding the difference between alpha, beta and gamma radiation.
Beta decay: Definition of beta decay and how it occurs in radioactive materials.
Beta particles: Characteristics of beta particles, including their properties and behavior.
Beta radiation shielding: Importance of effective shielding against beta radiation and the types of materials that could be used.
Measuring beta radiation: Methods used for measuring beta radiation exposure, including Geiger-Müller counters and film badges.
Dose absorption: Understanding how the human body absorbs beta radiation and how this can lead to health risks.
Half-life: Definition of half-life and how it is used to determine the decay of radioactive materials.
Health effects: Understanding the effects of beta radiation exposure on human health, including acute and chronic effects.
Natural sources: Natural sources of beta radiation, including cosmic rays, radon gas and certain types of rocks and soil.
Industrial applications: Different industrial applications of beta radiation, such as sterilization of medical equipment and food irradiation.
Radiation protection: Importance of radiation protection measures and best practices when handling beta radiation sources.
Nuclear power reactors: Understanding how beta radiation is used in nuclear power reactors and how it contributes to electricity generation.
Radioactive waste disposal: Challenges of handling and disposing of radioactive waste products from beta radiation sources.
Emergency responses: Measures to be taken in case of beta radiation emergency situations, and the role of government agencies in managing such events.
Risk assessment: Understanding how the risks associated with beta radiation exposure are assessed and managed.
Beta-minus radiation: Occurs when an unstable atomic nucleus emits an electron. The electron is created when a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron. The electron is then ejected from the nucleus, carrying away some of the energy released during the decay process.
Beta-plus radiation: Occurs when a proton in an unstable atomic nucleus converts into a neutron and a positron (the anti-particle of the electron). The positron is then ejected from the nucleus, carrying away some of the energy released during the decay process.
"There are two forms of beta decay, β− decay and β+ decay, which produce electrons and positrons respectively."
"The distance is dependent on the particle energy."
"Beta particles are a type of ionizing radiation."
"For radiation protection purposes, beta particles are regarded as being more ionising than gamma rays but less ionising than alpha particles."
"The higher the ionising effect, the greater the damage to living tissue."
"The higher the ionising effect, the lower the penetrating power of the radiation."
"(symbol β)"
"emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus during the process of beta decay."
"electrons and positrons respectively"
"Beta particles with an energy of 0.5 MeV have a range of about one metre in the air."
"electrons and positrons"
"beta particles are regarded as being more ionising than gamma rays"
"beta particles are regarded as being less ionising than alpha particles"
"beta decay"
"positrons"
"more ionising than gamma rays, but less ionising than alpha particles"
"lower the penetrating power of the radiation"
"high-energy, high-speed electron or positron"
"particle energy"